Barrier-Free (Accessible) Student Unit

General Information

UNIT FOR BARRIER-FREE LIFE (ENGELSİZ YAŞAM BİRİMİ)

  1. Institutional Information:

The “Unit for Barrier-Free Life” was established under the Health, Culture and Sports Department of our university with the Rector’s Approval No. 1898 dated 22 September 2006, in accordance with Article 8 of the Regulation on Advisory and Coordination Services for Disabled Students in Higher Education Institutions, published in the Official Gazette No. 26204 on 20 June 2006. The unit was originally named the “Disabled Student Unit” and currently continues its activities under the Rectorate of our university.

To emphasize inclusivity and prevent discrimination against applicants due to their disabilities, the name of the unit was changed from “Disabled Student Unit” to “Unit for Barrier-Free Life” by the decision of the University Administrative Board dated 07 April 2021, No. 2021/48. In order to broaden participation in the unit’s activities, the “Commission for Disabled Support and Advisory Services” was established, comprising experts from all Directorate Units, Faculties, Schools, Vocational Schools, and the Psychological Counseling and Guidance Center.

Within our university, academic advisors for disabled students have been appointed on a voluntary basis from each department to assist students with disabilities in Faculties, Schools, and Vocational Schools. Primarily, students’ individual disabilities are taken into consideration, and academic advisors identify and support students in attending classes on ground floors whenever necessary.

The unit is currently located at the Central Çiftlikköy Campus, next to the Rectorate building (behind the central cafeteria), in a fully accessible single-story building. It operates with 1 academic staff member (lecturer) and 4 administrative staff, providing guidance to students with special needs in both academic and social aspects, securing their legal rights, and striving to offer a qualified higher education experience.

As part of the efforts of the University Commission for Disabled Support and Advisory Services to create an inventory of services for people with disabilities, the unit also conducts thesis studies, research articles, conference papers, and advisory training services for disabled and mobility-impaired individuals (including elderly people) in our Faculties, Schools, Vocational Schools, and Institutes. To facilitate the lives of students with special needs and promptly address the problems they encounter, Academic Representatives of the Unit for Barrier-Free Life have been appointed in Institutes, Faculties, Schools, and Vocational Schools.

  1. Resources:

The unit is located at the central campus. Its facilities include a multi-purpose application laboratory, a sound recording studio for audio books created for visually impaired students, 2 staff rooms, 1 kitchen, 2 adapted restrooms/washrooms for individuals with special needs, and an accessible entrance ramp.

The unit does not have an independent budget and is dependent on the Rectorate’s special fund. Activities are usually carried out in collaboration with other institutions and organizations through projects, and funding is provided through these projects. Human resources are provided by 1 academic staff member and 2 administrative personnel appointed as coordinators by the University Personnel Department.


For more information about the Unit for Barrier-Free Life at Mersin University, click here.